Search Results (73)

Handball is a dynamic team sport characterized by high agility requirements, which feature complex motor–cognitive demands. The ability to meet these demands is critical for performance in handball but remains under-represented in research. Existing studies highlight that cognitive demands can strongly interfere with motor behavior, particularly in dynamic sport-specific movement tasks. Furthermore, high motor–cognitive load is associated with risk of lower limb injury. Therefore, to gain insight in the mechanisms between movement and performance dynamics in the presence of cognitive demands, this study investigated the performance of elite handball players in a novel planned and reactive agility task. Four FitLight proximity sensors (FitLight Corp, Aurora, ON, Canada) recorded execution time. Nine Noraxon Myomotion wearable inertial sensors (Noraxon U.S.A. Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, USA) tracked the motion of the players’ trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities at 200 Hz. Execution time and kinematics were compared between adult and youth players and between different playing positions. Adult players demonstrated faster performance than youth players and exhibited differences in hip and knee flexion, potentially reflecting variations in acceleration and deceleration strategies. Backcourt players and wings demonstrated faster performance compared to pivots, who showed distinct patterns of hip, knee, and ankle flexion, possibly due to differences in body composition. These findings highlight the influence of motor and cognitive demands on agility performance and offer valuable insights into age- and position-specific differences among elite handball players. Furthermore, these findings support the use of wearable inertial sensors for the purpose of athlete evaluation. Future research should explore the implementation into athlete monitoring. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze service-related musculoskeletal injuries of professional firefighters in 2021–2023. Material and methods: Analysis was completed on the basis of annual reports on the injury status of the State Fire Service (SFS) obtained from the Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OOSH) at General Headquarters. The report databases were searched using keywords typical of bone injuries and including anatomical names: “sprain”, “fracture”, “dislocation”, “bone injury”, “bone”, “joint”, “spine”, “skull and “musculoskeletal injury”. Results: Events matching the analysis target of N = 1944 (2021—n = 707; 2022—n = 589; 2023—n = 648) accounted for 49.4% from all accidents in the State Fire Service in Poland in the analyzed period. A significant increase in the analyzed period 2021–2023 was observed in events where the cause of injury was sports activities (45% vs. 49% vs. 63%, p < 0.001). A significant decrease was observed in events where the cause of injury was interventions (26% vs. 27% vs. 17%, p < 0.001), technical and maintenance (TM) work (8% vs. 6% vs. 5%, p = 0.008) and category “other” (15% vs. 14% vs. 11%, p = 0.034). Statistically significant differences were found between cause and the type of injury (p = 0.002), season (p < 0.001) and the location of injury (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A large number of musculoskeletal injuries are associated with sports activities, which is inherent in the risks of the activities. The lower extremities are most affected by injuries during sports activities The spring period dominates in the season category, which may be related to the difficulty of the terrain and return to increased sports activity after the winter period. Full article

Background and Objectives: It is crucial to consider not only the physical variables but also the athlete’s psychological condition prior to making the decision to return to sport (RTS). It is unfortunate that there is currently no universal questionnaire available in Arabic to determine whether an athlete is ready to return to sports. So, this cross-cultural validation study was carried out to translate and validate the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS) into the Arabic language. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty athletes with lower extremity injuries (95 males and 25 females) completed the Arabic I-PRRS twice with a one-week time interval. An additional 50 athletes, comprising 40 males and 10 females, also participated in the study by completing the questionnaire during their initial visit to a physical therapist. Floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, reliability, discriminate validity, convergent validity, and factor construct were analyzed. Results: The I-PRRS was translated into Arabic with no floor or ceiling effects. It had good internal consistency (0.84) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC 0.88, 95% CI 0.73–0.95) where the lower bound of 95% CI indicated at least good reliability. The SEM was 1.14, and the MDC was 3.27 points. Athletes who were cleared to RTS demonstrated significant differences in their responses compared with those who were visiting their physical therapist for the first time. These differences were significant across all individual items, as well as in the total scores of the assessment (p < 0.001). There was a significant moderate correlation between overall scores on the I-PRRS and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) (rs = 0.69, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The Arabic version of the I-PRRS demonstrated good reliability and validity, making it a suitable tool for evaluating psychological readiness to RTS among injured athletes in Arabic-speaking populations. Full article

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of primarily asymmetrical (soccer and volleyball) and symmetrical sport load (sprint and swimming) in the upper and lower limbs on dynamic balance and muscle strength and to compare these values in the dominant and non-dominant limbs. This study employed a cross-sectional design, included 45 adolescent female athletes from four sports, divided into asymmetric (ASYM, n = 25) and symmetric (SYM, n = 20) groups. They were assessed for maximal voluntary isometric muscle contraction (MVIC) relative muscular strength using a handheld dynamometer (HHD) for shoulder external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR), as well as hamstring and quadricep strength. Upper and lower limb balance were also assessed using the Upper (YBT-UQ) and Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-LQ) tests. The results showed significantly greater balance in the upper extremities of swimmers and in the lower extremities of the sprinters in both the dominant (DS) and non-dominant (NDS) sides than in other groups (p < 0.0001). However, no significant difference in internal and external shoulder rotator muscles strength between the groups (p > 0.05). Although significant differences were found in hamstring strength on the dominant side and quadricep strength on both sides (p < 0.05), a notable finding was that sprint athletes consistently demonstrated stronger quadriceps muscles as compared to other groups in both the dominant and non-dominant sides. According to the current findings, there are significant differences in upper and lower body balance, hamstring, and quadricep muscle strength among sports. This suggests that athletes of asymmetrical sports may need to improve non-dominant side knee strength and balance symmetry to prevent the risk of injury. Full article

Background/Objectives: Football poses a high risk of sustaining lower-limb injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, owing to the frequent jumping and landing movements. Identifying risk factors for these injuries is crucial to successful prevention. Two-dimensional (2D) video analysis is a commonly employed tool for assessing movement patterns and determining injury risk in clinical settings. This study aims to investigate whether variations in the camera frame rate impact the accuracy of key angle measurements (knee valgus, hip adduction (HADD), and lateral trunk flexion (LTF)) in male football players during high-risk functional tasks such as single-leg landing and 45° side-cutting. Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study included 29 football players (mean (SD) age: 24.37 [3.14] years). The frontal plane projection angle (FPPA), HADD, and LTF during single-leg landing and side-cutting tasks were measured using two different camera frame rates: 30 frames per second (fps) and 120 fps. The 2D kinematic data were analyzed using Quintic Biomechanics software. Results: Significant differences in FPPA scores during single-leg landing were observed between the 30 fps and 120 fps for both the dominant (mean difference = 2.65 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76–4.55], p = 0.008) and non-dominant leg (3.53 [1.53–5.54], p = 0.001). Additionally, the FPPA of the right leg during the side-cutting task showed significant differences (2.18 [0.43–3.93], p = 0.016). The LTF of the right leg during side-cutting displayed a significant variation between frame rates (−2.69 [−5.17–−0.22], p = 0.034). No significant differences in HADD were observed. Conclusions: Compared with a 30 fps camera, a high-speed (120 fps) camera demonstrated a superior performance in delivering accurate kinematic assessments of lower-limb injury risk factors. This improved precision supports injury screening, rehabilitation monitoring, and return-to-play decision-making through determining subtle biomechanical deficits crucial for lower-limb injury prevention and management. Full article

Lower extremity misalignments increase the risk of chronic overload and acute injuries during sports and daily activities. Medial positioning of the knee and foot in the frontal plane is one of the key biomechanical risk factors associated with lower extremity injuries and pain. Different exercise interventions have been implemented to counteract misalignments. However, most studies have been conducted on clinical populations. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to assess the preventive effects of exercise interventions on frontal plane knee and foot posture in healthy individuals. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro) were systematically searched for original articles published between 2008 and 2024. This review included clinical trials on healthy adults (18–45 years) with or without lower extremity biomechanical misalignments, examining the effects of exercise interventions alone on knee and foot frontal plane biomechanics. Eligible studies reported at least one relevant frontal plane foot and knee biomechanical measure, such as knee valgus/abduction, medial knee displacement, foot pronation/eversion, or navicular drop. Studies involving non-exercise interventions, single-session protocols, and participants with neurological or spinal disorders, pain, or injury were excluded. A total of 35 articles with 1095 participants were included in this review. A total of 20 studies included individuals without a biomechanical misalignment, and 15 studies focused on individuals with a biomechanical misalignment. Mean values, standard deviations, and p-values were extracted from the included studies. Effect sizes and confidence intervals were then calculated to provide a quantitative presentation of the data. In conclusion, in healthy individuals without biomechanical misalignment, technique training and core muscles strengthening were most effective for improving knee valgus. Hip, core, and foot muscle strengthening reduced foot pronation in those with pronated feet, while short foot exercises improved foot positioning in individuals with flat feet. Combining lower extremity strengthening with knee position control training may reduce knee valgus in individuals with increased knee valgus. Full article

Background/Objectives: One potential risk factor that remains especially contentious in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury literature is the role of neuromuscular fatigue in ACL injury risk. Therefore, the purposes of this review are (i) to present the research and practical concepts of lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue; and (ii) to review the literature relating to neuromuscular fatigue as an ACL injury risk factor and mechanism. Methods: A structured review was performed in the Medline database using a search strategy that included terms such as “anterior cruciate ligament injury” and “knee injuries” combined with terms such as “injury” and “fatigue”. Articles were included if they included young healthy participants (18–35) and made a comparison between non-fatigued and fatigued states that were assessed with at least one lower extremity biomechanical variable associated with ACL injury risk. Results: Overall, there were 67 studies included, accounting for 1440 participants (627 male and 813 female) across a variety of sports and activities. Of these, 53 (79%) reported a post-fatigue change in the kinematics, kinetics, neuromuscular, and/or other (e.g., proprioceptive) outcomes that indicate that the participants would be at an increased risk of an ACL injury. The most common argument against fatigue as a risk factor is that ACL injuries do not tend to occur later in a game or season, when it is assumed that athletes would be most fatigued. Conclusions: The evidence presented in this review suggests that localized neuromuscular fatigue is a risk factor, among multiple factors, for ACL injuries, providing another modifiable risk factor that should be considered when developing ACL injury risk reduction interventions. Full article

This study investigated muscle activation, shocks, and vibrations of the upper extremities during tennis serves between junior and adult tennis players. Thirty-five well-trained tennis players (15 juniors and 20 adults) performed 10 maximal successful tennis serves. Two triaxial accelerometers recorded the shock and vibration on the racket and the hand on the dominant side. Eight surface EMG electrodes were also used to measure the arm muscles’ activities. Linear mixed models were used to test the fixed effect of age on muscular activation and vibration. Statistical non-Parametric Mapping was employed to make statistical inferences on the EMG and accelerometer data obtained from the continuous wavelet transform. Comparing EMG parameters between junior and adult players reveals similar upper limb intermuscular coordination. The junior players experienced lower racket and hand vibration amplitudes, which were partially explained by a lower ball velocity. This study revealed that young players showed no difference in EMG parameters in the tennis serve but were as exposed to shocks and vibrations as adults when compared based on a given speed and a given handgrip force. These vibrations apply to an immature skeleton, which can increase the risk of injuries caused by overuse. In addition, differences in the racket vibration frequency provide original knowledge to engineers who need to develop innovative sports equipment for tennis. Full article

Background: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in team sports. A screening test can help understand why injuries occur and predict who is at risk for non-contact low back pain. The objectives of the research were (1) to create models using logistic regression analysis of limited lower-extremity ranges of motion to prospectively identify potential factors for in-season non-contact non-contact low back pain and (2) to determine a training threshold (cut-off) for the identified factors in inline hockey players. Methods: A prospective cohort research was performed with 49 male inline hockey players aged 8 to 15 years. Data were collected regarding age, body composition, sports antecedents, competition level, and lower-limb ranges of motion (ROM-SPORT battery, n = 11 tests). A prospective measurement of non-contact low back pain was performed after 1 year (outcome) by asking the players supervised by the medical staff team (questionnaire). Results: Sixteen players (32.7%) experienced non-contact low back pain during the 1-year surveillance period. The model showed a significant relationship (χ²(39) = 43.939; p < 0.001) between the low back pain and the predictor variable hip flexion with the knee extended range of motion (OR = 3.850 [large]; 95% CI = 1.293 to 11.463; p = 0.015). The Bayesian Information Criteria and the Akaike Information Criteria for model fit were 56.885 and 37.967, respectively. The training threshold for hip flexion with the knee extended of ≤67° was set, which has an acceptable (area under the curve ≥ 94.1%) discriminatory ability for the development of non-contact low back pain for the screening test. Conclusions: Hamstring extensibility at 67° or less, as determined by hip flexion with knee extension, is a predictor of non-contact low back pain in youth inline hockey players. Full article

Background/Objectives: Achilles and hamstring tendinopathies are common injuries in runners, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may be an effective treatment. Runners are at risk for lower extremity tendinopathies and the Male and Female Athlete Triad (Triad). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of sex, exposure to hormonal contraceptives, menopause, and Triad-related risk factors with ESWT outcomes in the treatment of Achilles and hamstring tendinopathy. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of runners with either Achilles or hamstring tendinopathy who received radial or combined radial and focused ESWT. Tendon function was measured using Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaires completed before and following treatment. Treatment success was defined by a change in VISA score that met the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Results: There were 88 runners (54.5% female, 45.5% male) with Achilles (52.3%) or hamstring (47.7%) tendinopathy. No measurable difference was found in the proportion of females and males overall that achieved the MCID (57.1% and 72.5%, p = 0.17). Similar rates of females and males met MCID for Achilles (77.8% and 75.0%, p = 0.83) and hamstring tendinopathy (46.7% and 66.7%, p = 0.24). However, females with Achilles or hamstring tendinopathy who used oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were less likely to meet the MCID compared to females not on OCPs (p = 0.031); this finding was present in a subgroup analysis of runners with only Achilles tendinopathy (p = 0.025). No associations were found between achieving the MCID and Triad risk factors, including body mass index, energy availability, weight-related behaviors, bone health, or menstrual function (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Female and male runners reported similar success rates for ESWT, and Triad risk factors were not found to impact outcomes. However, females who used oral contraceptive pills were less likely to achieve the MCID from ESWT. Full article

This review explores the prevalence and impacts of muscular power and dynamic balance motor asymmetry among football players, emphasizing its impact on performance and injury risk. Motor asymmetry frequently occurs in football, largely due to the sport’s specific demands, including the frequent use of one leg for kicking and passing. While some motor asymmetry may lead to functional specialization and does not always hinder performance, significant imbalances are often linked to an increased risk of injuries, particularly to the lower extremities. Dynamic balance motor asymmetry is also associated with a higher risk of non-contact injuries, underscoring the importance of joint stability in preventing such injuries. However, the direct impact of balance motor asymmetry on performance metrics like sprint speed and agility is less definitive, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms or training adaptations could mitigate potential negative effects. Technological advances in assessment, such as motion capture systems and wearable devices, have enhanced the precision of asymmetry evaluations, enabling more targeted interventions. In addition, personalized training interventions, informed by real-time data from these technologies, allow for tailored rehabilitation and performance optimization, addressing asymmetry-related risks early. Despite these technological advancements, there is a significant gap in understanding how motor asymmetry affects underrepresented groups, such as female football players and youth athletes. Further research is needed to investigate motor asymmetry in these populations, particularly to assess the long-term impact on injury risk and performance. Addressing these gaps will provide valuable insights into the development of gender- and age-specific training interventions. This review recommends a multidisciplinary approach, integrating biomechanics, sports medicine, and coaching insights, to develop comprehensive strategies for managing motor asymmetry in football. Such strategies, supported by real-time monitoring and tailored interventions, will be crucial for optimizing player performance, minimizing injury risk, and improving training and rehabilitation programs tailored to the diverse needs of football players. Full article

Sports-related concussions are caused by one substantial impact or several smaller-magnitude impacts to the head or body that lead to an acceleration of the head, causing shaking of the brain. Athletes with a history of sports-related concussion demonstrate lower-extremity biomechanics during landing tasks that are conducive to elevated injury risk. However, the effect of head acceleration on lower-extremity biomechanics during landing tasks is unknown. Twenty participants were evenly separated into a vertical hopping group and a lateral hopping group. Participants performed several land-and-cut maneuvers before and after a hopping intervention. Vertical head acceleration (g) was measured via an accelerometer during the hopping interventions. Comparisons in head acceleration during the hopping tasks were made between groups. Additionally, kinematic and kinetic variables were compared pre- and post-intervention within groups as well as post-intervention between groups. The vertical hopping group demonstrated greater vertical head acceleration compared to the lateral hopping group (p = 0.04). Additionally, the vertical hopping group demonstrated greater knee abduction angles during landing post-intervention compared to the lateral hopping group (p < 0.000). Inducing head acceleration via continuous hopping had an influence on lower-extremity biomechanics during a landing task. Full article

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most frequent athletic injuries in football, causing deficits in balance. Motor Imagery (MI) has been successively included in sports rehabilitation as a complementary therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of MI on static and dynamic balance and on the fear of re-injury in professional football players with Grade II ankle sprains. Fifty-eight participants were randomly allocated into two groups: First—MI group (n = 29) and second—Placebo group (n = 29), and they each received six intervention sessions. The first MI group received MI guidance in addition to the balance training program, while the second Placebo group received only relaxation guidance. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant results for all variables, both before and 4 weeks after the interventions for both groups. The t-test showed statistically significant differences between the two groups for static balance for the right lower extremity (t = 3.25, S (two-tailed) = 0.002, p < 0.05) and also for heart rate (final value) in all time phases. Further research is needed in order to establish MI interventions in sports trauma recovery using stronger MI treatments in combination with psychophysiological factors associated with sports rehabilitation. Full article

Archery ranks among the sports with a high incidence of upper extremity injuries, particularly affecting the drawing shoulder and elbow, as well as inducing stress on the lower back. This study seeks to bridge the gap by integrating real-time human motion with biomechanical software to enhance the ergonomics of archers. Thirteen participants were involved in four tasks, using different bows with varied draw weights and shooting distances. Through the application of advanced integrative technology, this study highlights the distinct postures adopted by both males and females, which indicate the biomechanical differences between genders. Additionally, an analysis of the correlation between exposed spinal forces and these adopted postures provides insights into injury risk assessment during the key archery movements. The findings of this study have the potential to significantly enhance the application of training methodologies and the design of assistive devices. These improvements are geared towards mitigating injury risks and enhancing the overall performance of archers. Full article

This study utilized advanced data mining and machine learning to examine player injuries in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2000–01 to 2022–23. By analyzing a dataset of 2296 players, including sociodemographics, injury records, and financial data, this research investigated the relationships between injury types and player recovery durations, and their socioeconomic impacts. Our methodology involved data collection, engineering, and mining; the application of techniques such as Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), isolation forest, and the Z score for anomaly detection; and the application of the Apriori algorithm for association rule mining. Anomaly detection revealed 189 anomalies (1.04% of cases), highlighting unusual recovery durations and factors influencing recovery beyond physical healing. Association rule mining indicated shorter recovery times for lower extremity injuries and a 95% confidence level for quick returns from “Rest” injuries, affirming the NBA’s treatment and rest policies. Additionally, economic factors were observed, with players in lower salary brackets experiencing shorter recoveries, pointing to a financial influence on recovery decisions. This study offers critical insights into sports injuries and recovery, providing valuable information for sports professionals and league administrators. This study will impact player health management and team tactics, laying the groundwork for future research on long-term injury effects and technology integration in player health monitoring. Full article